1.I always thought Laurence was rather shallow and superficial, but yesterday I saw him reading a book of Renaissance poetry. He's a bit of a dark horse, isn't he? (someone with a secret, especially a secret ability, skill or achievement that surprises you when you discover it)

2.I'm not going out with you looking like that. You look like something that the cat dragged in! Brush your hair and put on some clean clothes! (to have a very dirty or untidy appearance)

3.I live on the 14th floor of a tower block, so I have a wonderful bird's-eye viewof the town. (a good view of something from a high position)

4.How did I know that you were going out with Lucy? Aha! A little bird told me! (an expression used for saying that you are not going to say who told you something)

5.It really gets my goat, the way she keeps interrupting all the time. (to annoy someone)

6.William didn't get the promotion he wanted last year, and he's had a bee in his bonnetabout it ever since. (to be very involved in something that you think is important, in a way that other people find annoying)

7.You really let the cat out of the bagwhen you asked Louise what time her party started. She didn't know anything about it. It was supposed to be a surprise. (to tell someone something that was supposed to be a secret)

8.Where have you been? You're soaking wet! You look like a drowned rat! (looking very wet and cold)

9.Tony! What a surprise! It's wonderful to see you again. I haven't seen you for donkey's years! (an extremely long time)

10.The hotel used to be the best in town, but since the new manager took over it's really gone to the dogs. (not as good at it was in the past)

11. I don't trust Eric when he says he's working late at the office. To be honest, I smell a rat. (to be suspicious, or to think that someone is trying to trick you)

12.That's the third burger you've eaten. I wish you'd stop making such a pig of yourself. (to eat a lot of food)

13."Do you think I'll pass my driving test tomorrow, Julie?" "Sorry, Mark, I don't think you have a cat in hell's chance." (to have no chance at all of doing something)

14.I only started my new job last week, and I still feel like a fish out of water. (to be in a situation that you know nothing about or are not used to)

15."How did you know that Mr Roberts is going to resign?" "I got it straight from the horse's mouth." (information that comes from someone who is directly involved – in this case, from Mr Roberts)

16. Have you met our new manager? He really thinks he's the bee's knees! (to think you are very clever and important)

17.What do you think of our new English teacher? Personally I think she's a bit of a cold fish.(someone who is not very friendly)

18.Antonia is very timid: she wouldn't say boo to a goose. (an expression used to describe someone who is very quiet and shy)

19.Why do I always have to do the donkey work? (boring work that needs a lot of effort but has to be done as part of a job)

20.I'd love to be a fly on the wallwhen Debbie tells Mr Roberts what she thinks of him! (to be able to see what people are doing without them noticing you)

21.Two weeks before her wedding, Jane went to a nightclub for her hen night. (a celebration for a woman who is about to get married, in which only her women friends take part)

22.I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse! (an expression used for saying that you are very hungry)

23.The bank wouldn't lend me the money, so I had to go to a loan shark. (someone who lends money to people and charges them a very high rate of interest)

24.My boss is such a rat bag. I don't think I can go on working for her much longer. (somebody who is unpleasant with other people)

25.I feel really sorry for poor old Steven: he's so hen pecked. (criticised and given orders all the time by a wife or female partner)

26.It was a very simple job, but I made a pig's ear of it. (do something very badly)

27.I wanted to go to Spain for my holiday, but just before I left for the airport I lost my passport. As you can imagine, that really cooked my goose. (to cause a lot of problems for someone, or spoil their plans)

28.I can't help you at the moment, I'm afraid. I've got bigger fish to fry. (to have more important things to do or think about)

29.The party was wonderful. We had a whale of a time. (to have a lot of fun)

30.You can tell John that he's a stupid boring idiot if you like, but I'm afraid it will just be water off a duck's back. (an expression used for saying that advice, warnings or insults do not affect someone)

31.I've got so many things to do today. I'm running around like a headless chicken! (trying to do a lot of things quickly without being sensible or calm about it)

32.He thinks he's better than us. I wish he would get off his high horse. (stop behaving as if he knows more or is better than anyone else)

33.Corporate fat catshave once again been accused of putting profits before people. (people who receive too much money for the job they do)

34.I don't like him, I don't respect him, and I don't give a monkey'swhat he thinks. (to not care about something at all)

35.While we're in town doing our shopping, let's go and see my mother. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone. (to achieve two aims with one action)

36.I've never seen Arnie looking so happy. He's like a dog with two tails. (to be very happy because something good has happened)